Military Tuition
Assistance Cut 25%
Setting politics aside,
if you are in the military and taking college courses, there is something major
that has happened, and you need to be aware of it. The White House and our
representatives are reneging on its national promise to pay for the college for
enlisted armed services members.
As I can attest, college tuition is the primary inducement for many
of us who comprise America’s all-volunteer fighting force.
So here are the details
that are unfolding:
According to an email
sent out to AFSA members, “"Congress has amended the
Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (HR 1540)to direct the D.O.D. to reduce the
current 100 percent tuition and fees rate by 25 percent. The amendment was
offered by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO). Currently service members can get up to
100% of the tuition and fees covered as long as the per semester credit limit
of $250 is not exceeded. Anything tuition costs which exceed the per credit
hour cap must be paid through secondary sources like their GI Bill benefit,
scholarships, grants or out-of-pocket." I think the original Bill was sponsored by Howard McKeon (R, CA-25)
HR1540, SEC. 547(3). REPORT ON TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
FOR OFF-DUTY TRAINING OR EDUCATION:
“Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on methods to increase the efficiency of the tuition assistance program under section 2007 of title 10, United States Code. Such report shall include--
(1) a description of the effect of the program on recruiting and retention within the Armed Forces;
(2) an analysis of other programs that provide benefits similar to those provided through the program, including the use of educational assistance programs under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code, for education and training pursued by members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty while they are off-duty; and
(3) … modifying the program to require members of the Armed Forces participating in the program to pay for 25 percent of their education expenses and the Secretary concerned to pay the remaining 75 percent of such expenses.” The full version of HR1540 can be found here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h1540/text
“Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on methods to increase the efficiency of the tuition assistance program under section 2007 of title 10, United States Code. Such report shall include--
(1) a description of the effect of the program on recruiting and retention within the Armed Forces;
(2) an analysis of other programs that provide benefits similar to those provided through the program, including the use of educational assistance programs under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code, for education and training pursued by members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty while they are off-duty; and
(3) … modifying the program to require members of the Armed Forces participating in the program to pay for 25 percent of their education expenses and the Secretary concerned to pay the remaining 75 percent of such expenses.” The full version of HR1540 can be found here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h1540/text
If you would like to oppose the HR1540 bill
related to the military tuition assistance cuts, you can send your rep a letter
online at: http://www.opencongress.org/contact_congress_letters/new?bill=112-h1540&position=oppose
The military tuition assistance cuts go into
effect October 1, 2011, so write or call your representatives today.
As for me, the $75 in the max per credit hour fee
means $225 for my average 3 credit class. Maybe this doesn’t seem like a huge
amount, but in my situation, that means an additional $2,250 per year coming
out of my pocket. I already have to pay for my text books and supplies. When
you consider that a new recruit's modest salary of $1467.60, many with families are already below the national poverty level, the increased tuition
cost to them is no small difference! What really frosts this grunt’s hindparts
is that the big boys in DC will shell out trillions to failed banks and
insurance companies, but screw a jarhead that is willing to die for them for
$75 buck a credit hour. How is that good smart?
I joined the military because I knew I could access
the 100% military tuition assistance program. My Congressman said it was better
than nothing, and that I should be happy that they didn’t cut military tuition
assistance program completely. I guess he wasn’t there when my recruiter made
the promises to me that convinced me that if I risked my live in the flea
invested desert sands of Iraq, the military would provide 100% tuition
assistance. I was hoping to go from green to gold and become an officer. With
the looming cuts, it will either take me longer as I will have to adjust my
educational pursuits to fit my budget, or I will have to sell our house and
downsize. We just bought a 3 bedroom house last year because we had hoped to
have another child next year before I had planned to graduate. I don’t think
the higher-ups understand what this kind of cut does to their enlisted members.
We are patriotic and defend America for God, family and country… but we expect
our elected leaders to keep their promises when it comes to things like the
promised military tuition assistance. If not, then perhaps our contract with
them is only and “illusory” contract?
Is this the end of the cuts that affect those of
us in the trenches, or only the beginning? Anyone else got any thoughts on
this?
This is very upsetting to me. I appreciate the info and will followup with my Education Officer on base and with my elected representatives. Everyone needs to be talking about this before it is set in stone.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is a ripoff. So many enlisted in the military are going to be shocked over this.
ReplyDeleteSo is this set in stone, or is it only a proposed change?
This is serious, but slow down a bit. HR1540, sec 547 has just made it to the US Senate.
ReplyDeleteWe really don't know how they might change the language of the bill, etc.
When I read it, the language seems to authorize a study and set-forth 270 days from the laws implementation for a full report as to how reducing the military tuition assistance might affect recruitment and retention of armed service persons.
I agree we should watch it, but I think the right way to go about this is to get the word out and ask that those concerned contact their representative and let them know how they feel about it.
Let's be thankful for all we have, even if it ends up being only 75% tuition assistance.
ReplyDeleteI am so sick and tired of seeing the need for budget cuts used as an excuse to
punish the military for serving their country. If you want to trim the budget,
start by eliminating some of the waste and abuse. I can't even fathom how much
the crooks and leeches with political connections make off the Federal
Government. But I can guarantee you that it is many times what it costs the
government to keep its promise to those who fought for America. So, if someone
with some clout reads this, don't take away my education money. Take away
some of the graft and corruption bleeding our country dry.
Naturally, the first thing to be eliminated is educating the enlisted! This is going
ReplyDeleteto take the class wars to a whole new level.
To even think about cutting the education assistance we earned with blood,
ReplyDeletesweat and tears is RIDICULOUS!! All of my buddies who enlisted were like me.
They joined to get help paying for their education.
Yes, it is ridiculous, but something just as ridiculous is that many of the hard
ReplyDeleteworking enlisted like the deployed infantry, the guys who deserve it the most,
don’t even get a real chance to use TA. If you kill off the for profit schools – the
online universities – they are going to have even less opportunity.
You can be sure that this is only the beginning. Veterans are the ones who have
ReplyDeletealways gotten the short end of the stick. True, we get lifetime mediocre
healthcare and a paycheck if you put in the years to retirement ,or get disabled.
But that is not much for putting your life at risk. It's sickening to see the way
our nation is headed, and that's straight down the toilet. This is not the same
wonderful country I fought for!
I have used $13,000 in TA to date. My school charges $1,000 per semester. They
ReplyDeletemust be making a fortune off of military benefits. This rip off is just the start.
The post 911 GI Bill is not going to be around long either; they have already
reduced the benefits, and you can count on it getting cut further. I don’t get it. I
As a retired 1SG in the US Army, I say that what we need to do is to go back to
ReplyDeletethe draft. This way you get a better educated military force as the draft pulls in
not just the less educated. This would mean fewer recruiting offices, fewer
recruiters with less extra allowances and recruiting pay etc. This would save
money enough that you could go ahead and not cut education benefits.
Everyone knows that in today’s high tech military, we need better educated
ReplyDeletesoldiers! The current system helps achieve that. Education is required for rank.
There are so many other areas that could be cut other than education benefits.
In my experience, the overall budgets for units are typically excessive. I
remember being told I should expend all ammunition because if it were
returned, the battalion would get short-changed the next year. The same thing
happens all the time in many different areas. Units always seem to have excess
and are just not frugal with budgets and supplies. We need to cut waste, not
education!
Regarding the comment above, ALL soldiers deserve their benefits, not just the ones in the trenches. You chose Infantry. That was up to you. All troops need to support one other. If it wasn't for that Finance soldier, you would not even get paid!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to save money, not to mention our fighting forces and country itself,
ReplyDeletethen impeach Osama from office. That will save this country from further
disgrace and dictatorship. What have we fought all over the world for only to
come back to a country we can hardly recognize anymore. Dictators and racists
who thrive on their own ignorance. You take away my TA and other benefits and
you will lose guys like me who fought for me and my family, and you will also
lose many more true patriots.
If it were not for the GI Bill benefits back in the 70's, I could not have afforded
ReplyDeletecollege and certainly would not be finishing my career as CEO/Founder of a
$40M company. The education benefits I received did a lot to take away the
bitterness I felt about being drafted. In my case and many like mine, the GI Bill
paid off big time, not just for me but also for many others than my family. The
education I earned is still paying off with jobs and increased taxes and services
provided. I never asked for a handout--only fair treatment following substantial
sacrifice. That is the same thing those who serve today deserve. And if you
don’t offer a fair break, you won’t get them enlisting tomorrow either!
I don't understand how they can cut soldiers from the one thing they know : the
ReplyDeletemilitary and then cut their tuition assistance. If you have too many personnel
stop hiring..yes why are the recruiting office still opened? and why cut education
a main economic factor in a country. Education and work is what gets countries
out of the rut.
ReplyDeleteIt’s BS them thinking about cutting TA . honestly 4500 a fy isn't even enough ..
they should raise the amount if anything. They complain bout how much they
spend, then why even let us use it?
agree that all colleges and universities ought to cut tuition costs to less than
ReplyDelete$200 per semester hour, both graduate/undergraduate. This would result in
millions of dollars in savings. The idea to move all recruiters onto base is great.
What Big Government does not seem to understand is that many Warfighters use
ReplyDeletethe military service as a stepping stone, and I'm not just saying that they joined
for the College money. Warfighters should feel like that if they felt the need to
want to continue their education while serving, the money ought to be there for
them to be able to accomplish that goal. For them to say that it was huge spike in
2010 for TA like it was a bad thing is a big mistake. Those Warfighters should be
applauded and afforded every opportunity they need to reach their goals in life.
That money was not wasted. It was an investment in America’s future.
And for the Warfighter who said that he or she was never afforded the
opportunity to complete college is pure B.S., I know many of my battle buddies
who are 11B/Infantry men who got degrees while on active duty. So don't use
laziness or bad time management as an excuse. It is up to you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we are in charge of our own destiny. If we want an education, we
can get it. The biggest factor in deployment is boredom. If someone isn’t’ trying
to kill you at the moment, you probably have time to study.
I am glad to see everyone commenting and talking about HR1540, Sec. 547, but I am more concerned about whether you are letting your Federal representatives know your opinions.
ReplyDeleteRemember, to got to: http://www.opencongress.org/contact_congress_letters/new?bill=112-h1540&position=oppose and let them know how you feel about your military tuition assistance being cut.
Good luck, and keep spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteIts funny because they want to cut budget but people in the navy who try to use the early out program get denied early out and people who want to stay in get denied being able to stay in. It is honestly one of the worst systems out there. If they really wanted to cut budgets they would let people who are past their first
enlistment who had never received a bonus, yet working on a two year extension to get out if they want to. I have been in for over four years and requested a year early out, but had got denied and I am now forced to stay in.
Yet, I know many people in my command who want to stay in but are being forced out. They need to forget TA and start working with manning first off. TA is a benefit and people who serve deserve it. They could easily make up the
budget cuts if they allowed people to get out who want to get out.
Why victimize those who are willing to serve? Instead, cut Welfare and get the
ReplyDeletelazy people off their butts who are sponging off the rest of us. It really pisses me off to see people misuse this. Welfare is supposed to be a hand up, not a hand out! I don't appreciate supporting people who won't get out and help themselves. Send the millions of Mexicans on welfare back to their own country and it would end unemployment and save billions.
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea. How about trimming off the fat from lazy ass civilians, and managing waste better? Like printing books that no one will read. The government and military is slowly pushing all of the good service members out. We will soon be left with trash. Then who is going to be left to fight for freedom?
Here's an idea if you really feel a need to unish the military. Just make TA available to 2nd termers or E-5 and above.
ReplyDeleteStop your whining....I got back from Vietnam...got great grades...had scholarships in undergrad and graduate schools and got a lacrosse scholarship after I returned from 15 months in a recon platoon..my pay in combat:$450
ReplyDeletemonthly...I managed to save enough for a new car when I got back.....everybody is taking a hit on balancing the budget.... millions for the f-35 engine....30,000 for a hyped up grenade laucher and $1000 per round....That’s where to cut, not by robbing the men and women who make democracy safe in America.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe this idea is even being entertained if it is! These soldiers deserve
to get what they were promised when they enlisted. They enlisted....they were not drafted like many were during the Vietnam era. That's the difference 1% is carrying the load for the population in this country. It has saved young men from the draft. Show some appreciation for some who have been deployed 2, 3 and 4 times.
I am from the Vietnam era and I remember very well the mind set of most males during that era. Now I have a son who has just completed a year’s service and is in Iraq currently. I am proud that he stepped forward to serve this country. I want him to get his educational benefits. I will weep for him if he does not. Simply because I am furious that some get their education first and then serve. Why not do this for everyone?? Some people are treated like throw aways in this society.
ReplyDeleteYep, things just keeps getten better and better in D.C.
ReplyDeleteIf it gets any better, I'm going to expatriate to Iraq and try to help them rebuild their infrastructure.
The obominator better tell the Congress and Joint Chiefs to keep their promises they made to us. I ain't out here dodging bullets for my health. I am doing it cuz I love my country and trying to better myself with an education. A lot of dudes just play video games and waste time, but some of us really try. We are back in the barracks hitten the books every night instead of drinking beer, watching porn and playing video games. HR1540, Sec 547 is an insult. Its like the code on the street back in Brooklyn, you got something to say, say it to my face bitch. Wait til I see my recruiter again.
As for the amount of money you were paid during the Vietnam era.....its all relative. We were all paid less at that time.....cost of living. I am 61 so I get to speak my piece...I've earned the right.:) Still, the young men and women who serve deserve what they were promised, regardless of the cost. The real point is that with the Defense Authorization Act of 2012, Congress is breaking America’s
ReplyDeletepromise to military college students.
Hey Obama, skip one of your dozen vacations this year... there you go, This will let another thousand soldiers complete another semester. While you are taking a break from all your vacations, why not do something about this broken promise on Military Tuition Assistance?
ReplyDeleteMy own daughter is a teacher in Colorado. Not a UNION teacher, but a real teacher in a charter school NOT funded by the US government. Want to know how much she pays for her insurance? Every dime of it! Because the government can't tell her school HOW to teach (and they do a bang-up job too!) the teachers there have NO health care from work WHATSOEVER. The government screws up everything it gets its hands on. This latest ripoff with help from Howard McKeon (R, CA-25) is just the latest. BTW, I read about this in RipOffReport #781157. If you are a wetback sneaking into this country to sponge ff the had working taxpayers, they will give you everything you want. But go out and fight for America, and they rip you off.
ReplyDeleteYou military are going to get hit next! WE (and I mean ME TOO) were promised not just the educational benefits that Mike Coffman (R-CO) and his leftist cohorts are robbing from us, thanks to the Military Tuition Assistance Cut, we were also promised medical benefits. I was in the PILOT program for Tricare and I can tell you it's full of abuses, lies, overpayments, non-payments for months to outside doctors, lies from doctors themselves. Many of these doctors understand little to no English when treating their military and dependent patients in our sadly understaffed and badly lacking in the latest medical equipment. This nation’s military is under attack by our own Commander in Chief. If Obama signs HR1540, Sec. 547, he will affect troop moral, recruitment and retention, further weakening America and making it more vulnerable to the jihad attacks from
ReplyDeletethose who share Obama’s Muslim faith.
How DARE the US Government lie to us AGAIN!!! You PROMISED health care to
ReplyDeleteus and now you are going to raise the price of it to $4000 or more a year
mandatory.... when??? And they are doing the same thing if they get away with
the Secret Military Tuition Assistance Reductions they are pushing through.
And, of course, the leftist media roll over completely. They would rather drink
the KoolAid for the Anointed One than tell the truth about how President
Hussein is screwing the military.
How DARE all you blood-sucking politicians ignore the rising IED deaths (up 500% in less than four years!!!) and send more and more of our guys over there without the proper equipment needed to fight a war! My FRIENDS are dying (latest one just last month) over there. Every single one of you in Washington should be seriously ashamed to see how many are dying from a thing we CAN stop from happening!!!! I bet if the towel heads were planting IEDs around the Capitol, the politicians would do something about it! Instead, they are letting our warfighters die while running the Military Tuition Assistance Scam that HR1540, Sec. 547 represents.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteOh you in Washington who will not see that one human life is worth a trillion dollars and more... it's not about money any longer, it's about personal responsibility for every single person in this country. You pay hundreds of
thousands of dollars for contracts for doctors who misdiagnose a patient and then ignore it when there is a complaint! You prove time and again that you don’t care about our country’s finest – the young men and women who fight and die so that you can sit on your fat wallets – but only about maintaining your own perks. That’s why you are sneaking through this Top Secret Military Tuition Assistance Cuts without paying any attention to its real cost. We pay the price of freedom in blood every day and now you rob us of the educational assistance you promised.
Those dirt bag Congressman -- Howard McKeon (R, CA-25) and Mike Coffman (R-CO) -- are the ones behind the latest abuse of our fighting forces, the Military Tuition Assistance Cut. These thieves should leave our military benefits alone. We earned them! if the government wants to trim the fat, then they should start with welfare, medicaid, food stamps, etc. or how about a cut in the huge benefits our billionaire lawmakers rake in? They serve a few years living the high life in Washington DC then retire on The vets have EARNED their right to help. The leaches collecting their welfare check every month haven’t done anything except be worthless.
ReplyDeleteCongress doesn't care about our enlisted or they wouldn't have passed HR1540. Its all B.S. if you asked me. Good for you the make this blog.
ReplyDelete